Oleksandr Usyk produced an impressive performance to beat Tyson Fury on Saturday night and become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
The judges on the night scored the fight 115-112 Usyk, 114-113 Fury and 114-113 Usyk to see the Ukrainian win via split decision.
It was a tale of two halves on Saturday night, after British powerhouse Fury dominated the early rounds before Usyk once again controlled the fight.
Both men came flying out of the blocks in the first round, as Fury looked to keep Usyk at distance before targeting the body with some hard shots.
However, Usyk, using his diligent footwork, sought to nullify Fury’s reach and come in operating at different levels, which ultimately paid off.
Oleksandr Usyk (left) staged a stunning comeback to beat Tyson Fury (right) on Saturday.
The Ukrainian had Fury in trouble in the ninth round and almost knocked out the Gypsy King
The victory makes Usyk the first undisputed heavyweight champion this century.
Fury started the fight well, however, he began to fade as the heavyweight title fight progressed.
However, in the first round, Fury was clearly having fun and gestured to the crowd before being caught by the Ukrainian while on the ropes.
The Gypsy King went for the hook in the second round, missing twice before pinning Usyk with 10 seconds left on the clock. The Ukrainian looked good but certainly felt Fury’s power.
Usyk then landed a right-left combination in the second before wincing at a powerful body shot from Fury.
However, the Ukrainian ended the round by getting Fury into the corner and landing a flurry of punches before complaining that his counterpunch landed on the back of the head.
Then a clash of heads in the fourth worried fans that Fury’s cut would open up, however Fury didn’t seem worried – he summoned Usyk before making some Muhammed Ali moves.
Fury appeared to be outplaying his opponent, as Usyk complained of two low blows in the fifth round before being hit to the body twice. Fury also managed to cut Usyk above his right eye.
The Gypsy King thrilled fans in the sixth, landing an uppercut that staggered the Ukrainian before ending the round with his hands behind his back.
However, Usyk survived and began mounting an impressive comeback, as he continued to operate at different levels in the eighth to try and close the gap.
Usyk seemed to struggle at times, but overcame the adversity and ultimately won the fight.
The Gypsy King taunted Usyk throughout the fight despite being the second best of the night.
The Ukrainian scored a knockdown in the ninth when Fury found himself held by the ropes.
The tables turned in the ninth round. Fury was saved by the bell, or perhaps the referee, after falling following a relentless attack from Usyk.
The Ukrainian harnessed an energy that Fury didn’t think would remain, after dominating earlier, and surprised the British heavyweight with some powerful combinations.
Usyk then continued the charge in the tenth and asserted his dominance over the British star while continuing to set the pace and keep Fury on the defensive.
After the tenth, both men showed signs of fatigue after putting everything they had into what can only be described as an excellent fight.
It was an all-out war for the final round, with the judges scoring Usyk 115-112, Fury 114-113 and Usyk 114-113.
After the fight, Fury He stated that “the people are on the side of Usyk due to the war in Ukraine” after their defeat by split decision.
“I think I won that fight,” he said on the live broadcast of the fight on TNT Sports Box Office.
Usyk and his team hold their four heavyweight belts after the triumphant victory.
Meanwhile, Fury made the surprising claim that “the people are on the side of the country at war.”
“And I think he won some of the rounds, but I won most of them.”
And he added: “I think we both put up a good fight, the best we could do.” And you know, his country is at war. People are taking the side of the country at war.
“Make no mistake, in my opinion, I won that fight.”
Shortly after the decision, fans rallied around the Brit on social media, with some claiming he had been wronged on the scorecards.
‘Tyson Fury was robbed,’ a fan posted on X in reaction to the fight. “He showed a lion’s heart.”
Another wrote: ‘Fury 115 Usyk 144 – Fury stolen but Usyk brilliant!’
Ronaldo was situated in the front row for the fight, sitting next to Anthony Joshua (left)
That night several of the biggest sports stars attended, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Joshua and Neymar.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has been a regular in big fights in Saudi Arabia and continued that trend on Saturday.
Sitting alongside Joshua for the big fight, the footballer was a huge focus of attention as the build-up to the main event continued inside the Kingdom Arena.
Before the main event began, former rival and fellow soccer superstar Neymar approached the 39-year-old, and the two engaged in a brief conversation before embracing.